Perceptions and Understanding of Perinatal Mental Health Among Midwives in Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh

Abstract

University of WashingtonAbstract Perceptions and Understanding of Perinatal Mental Health Among Midwives in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Amritha Bhat Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences This qualitative study explores the perceptions and knowledge of midwives on perinatal mental health and the factors that act as facilitators and barriers to mental health promotion. Two focus groups were conducted with midwives practicing in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh. The participants were selected purposively from the partner NGO, HOPE Foundations’ facilities. The discussions were recorded, transcribed and translated to English. Thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti v24. Eight major themes were identified, organized into two broader categories: midwives’ perceptions on their role as it relates to mental health and the socioeconomic and cultural context and its impact on mental health. This exploration shed light on the midwives’ attitudes towards and knowledge of perinatal mental health, the challenges they face in providing care to two distinct populations – the local Cox’s Bazaar community and the Rohingya women residing in refugee camps in the region. Findings revealed positive attitudes towards mental health among midwives, along with an understanding of its multifaceted nature, yet significant gaps emerged in clinical knowledge and cultural congruency, particularly concerning the Rohingya community. Addressing these barriers is crucial for effective implementation of perinatal mental health interventions, with emphasis on the need for language alignment, cultural sensitivity, and tailored training programs. Moving forward, targeted efforts are necessary to strengthen midwives’ capacity in perinatal mental health care and address sociocultural factors influencing women's mental health, advancing more inclusive and effective healthcare delivery in Bangladesh.